ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — Warm weather in January and early February is causing honey bees to be active before they have enough food to eat, and the state’s beekeepers need to monitor colonies for starvation, a Mississippi State University expert said. “Contrary to what many people think, bees do not hibernate in winter,” said Audrey Sheridan, […] [...]

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — The U. S. Department of Agriculture will consolidate 11 offices in Mississippi with other USDA offices across the country. The list includes Farm Service Agency offices in Ashland, Ackerman, Fulton, Hernando, Coffeeville, Monticello, Raleigh and Purvis. A nutrition site in Jackson, an animal plant inspection service in Gulfport, and a rural development […] [...]

STARKVILLE — New plant hardiness maps released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture increased Mississippi’s average low temperatures by 5 degrees. Eric Stafne, Mississippi State University assistant Extension professor for fruit crops, said the maps provide good average information, but individuals still must make careful planting decisions. “With fruit crops, I am more concerned with […] [...]

WASHINGTON — In a Senate hearing on energy and economic growth for rural America, U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) urged continuation of economic development programs in the Department of Agriculture that will help provide jobs and improve the standard of living in rural America. Cochran serves on the Senate Agriculture Committee that heard testimony from […] [...]

ABERDEEN — Birdsong Corp. wants another $1 million from Mississippi to expand its peanut processing plant in Aberdeen. “We want a grant and we want the state to participate,” general manager Gerald Garland told a House Appropriations subcommittee yesterday. The Mississippi Development Authority, though, is cool to the idea. Kathy Gelston, MDA’s chief financial officer […] [...]

MISSISSIPPI DELTA — Wheat stripe rust was spotted in Mississippi and Arkansas in January, an unusual occurrence this early in the year made possible by the warm and wet winter. Tom Allen, Mississippi State University Extension plant pathologist at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, said the rust was spotted Jan. 27 in […] [...]

MISSISSIPPI DELTA — A Mississippi levee board asked a federal appeals court yesterday to revive a $220 million Yazoo River flood control project that was vetoed by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2008 over concerns that it would harm wetlands and wildlife. A three-judge panel from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New […] [...]

MISSISSIPPI DELTA — A Mississippi levee board is asking a federal appeals court to revive a $220 million flood control project that the Environmental Protection Agency vetoed in 2008, claiming it would harm wetlands and wildlife. A three-judge panel from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans is scheduled to hear arguments […] [...]

JACKSON — The Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association has unveiled a statewide initiative called “Eat Healthy Mississippi” that aims in helping Mississippi remove its status as the “fattest state in the nation.” “Eat Healthy Mississippi” is designed to promote locally grown produce in the preparation of dietitian-approved, Healthy Dining menu options at restaurants throughout Mississippi. […] [...]

ACROSS MISSISSIPPI — The lower input costs of corn give it some advantages for Mississippi Delta farmers choosing between corn and cotton for 2012. Farmers will be making planting decisions through February. Jerry Singleton, an agent with the Leflore County Extension Service, tells the Greenwood Commonwealth the key for farmers is deciding which has the […] [...]